How To Keep Skin Hydrated & Healthy During Winter

Anyone that has a naturally dry, dehydrated skin-type or suffers with a skin condition such as eczema will know just how much the colder months of the year can wreak havoc on our faces, leaving skin feeling even more rough, irritated and sore than usual. Harsh winds, baltic temperatures and central heating all zap the moisture out of the skin, so it's important to have some trusted skincare saviours in your stash that help to lock in every drop of hydration possible. Read on for some tips on how to prevent your skin from resembling a desert come Spring!

Hydrate Yourself From The Inside Out

The first thing I always do when temperatures start to drop is try to up my water and healthy fat intake. No matter how many lotions and potions you apply to the skin, you can't neglect your diet if you want your complexion to look and feel great. By keeping yourself well hydrated and eating foods such as healthy oils, salmon, avocado and nuts, you're making sure your body is getting plenty of nourishment from the inside, which is always reflected in the skin. I know it's boring to hear as it's advice that we've all heard a thousand times, but it's honestly one of the things that makes the most difference to my perpetually thirsty skin.

Avoid Further Drying Out The Skin

When skin is naturally prone to being dry, you want to avoid exacerbating the problem even further, especially if it's unnecessary. Constantly switching between the cold outdoors and central heating dries the skin out, so cutting down how much you rely on central heating at home may help your skin if you're suffering with irritation. Try to avoid having excessively hot baths or showers for extended periods of time, no matter how freezing it is outside, as this strips the skin of its natural oils. Even though there isn't always time, once you're out of the shower, try and moisturise your body as quickly as possible to keep everything nice and happy. We all love indulging in a Starbucks festive drink, but if you tend to drink a lot more hot, caffeinated drinks in the winter, maybe try and switch to decaf for some of them. Caffeine dehydrates you, leading to inflammation.

Consistency Is Key

I always notice that my skin looks its best when I stick to a skincare routine and don't let laziness take over, especially during winter when I just want to jump straight into my cosy bed. If I consistently follow a thorough morning and evening regime, I can usually keep any skin concerns (i.e., dry patches and irritation) at bay. However, if I fall into the habit of not taking my makeup off before bed at all or just using a face wipe and a quick application of any old moisturiser, then my skin really starts to show the signs of neglect. Plus, it takes longer for the skin to recover from any skin barrier damage in the winter, too.

Sandwich The Moisture

It makes sense to think that if skin is dry, you need to pile on a thick coating of every rich moisturiser sold on the planet to keep it in check. Actually, it's much more effective to apply light layers of moisture to avoid overloading the skin. After all, the skin can only absorb so much in one go. I love to start by cleansing with a hydrating wash or balm, such as the Radical Hydrating Cleanser or the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel. Then, I'll use the Clarins Gentle Brightening Exfoliating Toner and a moisturising mist, like the Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence, which is heavenly.

Following that, I'll opt for a nourishing serum (the Sarah Chapman Intense Hydration Booster will always be my ultimate fave), eye cream (La Roche-Posay's Toleriane Dermallergo Soothing Eye Cream is all that my sensitive eyes can handle), moisturiser (Dr Jart+ Ceramidin - just try it) and SPF (currently using the Clinique City Block Sheer, but I'm fickle). In between each layer, if my skin is really parched, I'll add an extra spritz of facial spray and I'll keep it in my bag for top-ups throughout the day.

Add Treatments Into Your Routine

Winter is the time to ramp up your use of masks, exfoliants and retinoids to really supercharge your skin. It's so crucial to show your skin some extra TLC at this time of year, by getting rid of any dead skin cells and really nourishing the fresh skin underneath. As well as using my beloved exfoliating toners, I'll also switch it up and use an exfoliating treatment around two-three times a week. My favourites for a fast yet effective exfoliation are the REN Flash Rinse 1-Minute Facial for a shot of vitamin C or the Indeed Labs Facial Powdered Exfoliator, which leaves skin feeling like new. I'll always turn to hydrating masks such as the GlamGlow Thirstymud or Origins Drink Up 10 Minute Hydrating Mask, which both flood the skin with hydration to leave it plumped, juicy and super soft.

If you really want to transform your skin, then retinoids are the product to incorporate into your routine. Derived from vitamin A, retinol products work to increase skin cell turnover, boost collagen and reduce lines and wrinkles, so they really are a miracle product and pretty much the only topical treatment to actually reverse the signs of aging. Retinoids can dry the skin out if you shock it with a strong formula straight away or use them too often, so start off with using something like the Indeed Labs Retinol Reface (which I adore), or the Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil (don't be alarmed that it's blue). Start using it twice a week, at night only, and make sure to generously moisturise after application. Once your skin starts to adapt, you can increase use or try a stronger formula.

Which skincare saviours do you turn to when winter hits? 

AGB X

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